Squash, Gourd, Ornamental Luffa

Grow your own bath sponges.

Customer Favorite!

Grow these squash for its fibrous flesh and when dried, you'll have the best bath sponges ever! Harvest at 2" long for delectable baby vegetables or up to 7" long for drying into sponges. Needs at least 90 days to harvest for sponges. North of zone 6, start seeds indoors. Vines spread 12'.

Growing Calendars are based on location and growing Zone.Enter your zip to see a calendar for your area:

How to Sow

Sow gourd seeds in average soil in full sun in spring after all danger of frost. Sow 6-8 seeds about 3" apart in hills 8’ apart. Cover with 1/2"of fine soil; firm lightly and keep evenly moist. Seedlings emerge in 7-14 days.

How to Grow

Thin seedlings to 3-4 per hill when they are 1-2" high. Provide plants with extra water during dry weather. Do not plant squash family crops in the same spot 2 years in a row.

Harvesting

Harvest after the shells harden. Cut the fruits from the vines with 1-2" of stem attached, then cure them for a week in a warm, dry location with good air circulation. Store them in a cool, dry place at 50-55°F for use throughout the winter. Add to fall and winter displays when dried.